Iranian born actor and comedian Omid Djalili, once did a comedy routine with Jewish stand-up Ivor Dembina, so his pro-Jewish credentials are not in question.

But, Djalili, who will be taking over as Fagin in Oliver! did say this: “I can say categorically that my appearance as the first ever Iranian to play Fagin is not part of any Iranian conspiracy to wipe Israel off the planet.” That’s a relief.